Sudanese official says ISIS recruitment among students on the rise
May 19, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese minister of Higher Education Sumaya Abu-Kushawa accused unnamed circles of actively recruiting students to join the Islamic State in Syria & Levant (ISIS).
Last March, several British media outlets confirmed reports that nine medical students from Sudanese origins entered Syria via Turkey to work in hospitals under the control of ISIS.
Their families were understood to be working with Turkish authorities seeking to get them back.
At the time, Sudanese 2nd Vice President Hassabo Abdel-Rahman blamed internal and external parties as well as international intelligence agencies for the phenomenon of extremism in the Arab and African communities.
Also a senior official in the ruling party called for an investigation to find out why these students joined ISIS.
The minister of Higher Education said she does not know what the students do during their free time but claimed that those carrying out political activities are receiving external support.
However she said the government has no intention of curbing political activities in universities.
Abu-Kushawa said she hopes that cultural activities and programs would serve to reduce violence in universities.
The last few years have witnessed the death of several students because of clashes of a political nature with the most recent incident resulting in the death of Mohammed Awad, who was the former Secretary General of the East Nile student union.
(ST)